What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intake & Assessment Psychologist position at Psychological & Counseling Associates of the Lowcountry, LLC?
Intake & Assessment Psychologist (PhD/PsyD)
Psychological & Counseling Associates of the Lowcountry (PCAL)
Locations: Bluffton & Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
About Our Practice
Psychological & Counseling Associates of the Lowcountry (PCAL) is an established, comprehensive mental healthcare organization serving individuals, couples, and families throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
With multiple clinical locations, a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, and a defined organizational leadership structure, PCAL provides a full continuum of outpatient psychological and behavioral health services.
Our clinical services include individual psychotherapy, couples and family counseling, comprehensive psychological testing and evaluation, diagnostic assessment, trauma-focused treatment, and specialized mental health services. Our team includes doctoral-level psychologists, licensed therapists, and other mental health professionals representing a broad range of clinical specialties and evidence-based treatment approaches.
Supported by dedicated executive, clinical, and administrative leadership, PCAL emphasizes clinical excellence, professional collaboration, operational efficiency, and measurable treatment outcomes.
We believe that effective psychological care begins with accurate assessment, thoughtful treatment planning, and ensuring that each patient is paired with a clinician whose expertise and therapeutic approach best align with their individual needs.
We are seeking a doctoral-level Intake & Assessment Psychologist (PhD or PsyD) to join our clinical team and serve an important role in our established patient assessment and treatment coordination process.
Position Overview
The Intake & Assessment Psychologist will conduct comprehensive initial clinical evaluations for new patients entering our practice, establish appropriate diagnoses, develop individualized treatment plans, and make informed recommendations regarding clinician assignments.
This position is integral to PCAL's coordinated approach to mental healthcare. Rather than assigning patients to clinicians based solely on appointment availability, the Intake Psychologist will consider each patient's diagnostic presentation, personality, communication style, treatment goals, and individual preferences to identify the most appropriate clinician and therapeutic approach.
The ideal candidate will possess exceptional diagnostic and clinical assessment skills, strong interpersonal judgment, and a comprehensive understanding of evidence-based psychological treatment.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Intake & Diagnostic Assessment
- Conduct comprehensive diagnostic intake evaluations for new patients.
- Assess presenting concerns, psychological symptoms, clinical history, personality characteristics, and treatment objectives.
- Establish appropriate clinical diagnoses using current DSM criteria.
- Evaluate clinical acuity, potential safety concerns, and the need for specialized services or higher levels of care.
- Identify patients who may benefit from additional psychological testing or specialized diagnostic evaluation.
Individualized Treatment Planning
- Develop comprehensive, individualized treatment plans based on clinical findings and patient goals.
- Establish measurable treatment objectives and recommend appropriate therapeutic interventions.
- Identify suitable treatment modalities, including CBT, DBT, EMDR, trauma-focused interventions, and other evidence-based approaches.
- Communicate assessment findings and treatment recommendations to assigned treating clinicians.
- Support consistency and continuity of care through clear diagnostic formulation and treatment planning.
Clinician Matching & Treatment Coordination
- Evaluate patient needs, personality characteristics, communication styles, and therapeutic preferences.
- Maintain familiarity with PCAL clinicians, including their specialties, treatment approaches, clinical strengths, and interpersonal styles.
- Recommend appropriate clinician assignments based on clinical expertise, therapeutic compatibility, and patient preferences.
- Collaborate with clinical leadership and administrative personnel to coordinate patient placement.
- Identify opportunities for interdisciplinary treatment and specialized services when clinically appropriate.
Documentation & Clinical Collaboration
- Complete timely, accurate, and comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
- Maintain clinical documentation consistent with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
- Collaborate with clinical directors, treating clinicians, and administrative leadership to support effective patient care.
- Contribute to ongoing quality improvement initiatives involving diagnostic consistency, patient placement, and clinical outcomes.
Qualifications
Required
- PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a closely related field.
- Current South Carolina psychologist license or eligibility for licensure before beginning independent clinical duties.
- Must be able to register with the South Carolina Board of Psychology as a Psychologist.
- Demonstrated proficiency in diagnostic assessment, clinical interviewing, and individualized treatment planning.
- Comprehensive understanding of DSM diagnostic criteria and evidence-based psychological interventions.
- Strong clinical judgment, interpersonal awareness, and written communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary clinical organization.
Preferred
- Experience in a multidisciplinary outpatient psychological or behavioral health setting.
- Experience conducting diagnostic evaluations across diverse patient populations.
- Familiarity with psychological testing and assessment.
- Experience working with children, adolescents, and adults.
- Experience collaborating with clinical leadership and coordinating treatment across multiple providers.
- Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation systems.
- Bilingual
A Specialized Clinical Role
This position offers an opportunity to focus on the foundational elements of effective psychological treatment: assessment, diagnosis, treatment formulation, and appropriate clinician placement.
Rather than maintaining a traditional psychotherapy caseload as the primary responsibility, the Intake & Assessment Psychologist will provide clinical direction at the beginning of the patient care process.
The position operates within PCAL's established clinical and administrative structure, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, consultation with clinical leadership, and meaningful involvement in the organization's approach to patient care.
Work Locations
This position will serve patients at both our Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, locations, with scheduling coordinated according to organizational needs.
Compensation
$85-$110/billable hour
Specific scheduling, compensation, and employment arrangements will be discussed during the interview process.
Apply
We welcome applications from doctoral-level psychologists who demonstrate strong clinical assessment skills, sound diagnostic judgment, and a commitment to individualized, evidence-based psychological care.
Psychological & Counseling Associates of the Lowcountry
Bluffton & Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Pay: $85.00 - $110.00 per hour
Expected hours: 15.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
Work Location: In person
Salary : $85 - $110